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HMS Cleveland World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Cleveland

Posts 1 to 33

My father was a signalman on this destroyer in 41/42 does anyone have information or pictures of crew or ship.

Hi Chris HMS CLEVELAND - Hunt Class (Type 1) Escort Destroyer built by Yarrow, launched 24 April 1940 and complete 18 September 1940. After work up joined 23rd Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet for a short period and then transfered to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla based at Portsmouth until May 1941. her role was to escort convoys through the Straights of Dover and conducted one offensive operation in March 1941 when she joined the escort for a mine-laying operation off the French coast. Subsequently she joined the 15th Destroyer Flotilla and spent the next two years escorting convoys between Falmouth and Milford Haven. Highlights included the rescue of 10 men from the armed yacht VIVA II that had been sunk off Trevose Head on 8 May 1941. Although she was on patrol during the German Navy's Channel dash in February 1942 she, fortunately for the ship and crew, did not make contact with the enemy. Took part in the St Nazaire raid on 23 March 1942 as one of the units providing reinforcement for the return passage during which time she came under air attack. On 16 May 1942 in company with HMS BROCKLESBY she was credited with downing a German Me109 fighter aircraft off Rame Head. Joining the escort to Convoy PW219 (Portsmouth - Bristol Channel) they were attacked by German S-Boots off the Eddystone Lighthouse on the night of 17/18 September 1942 and during this attack HMS CLEVELAND was missed by a torpedo fired at her but suffered three casualties (injuries) from gunfire. The convoy suffered no losses. In November 1942 she was detached to join the escort for Convoy KMS 2 (UK to Mediterranean(slow)) to Gibraltar, returning with Convoy MFK 1 (Mediterranean - UK). That operation took her up to the end of 1942 and covers the period that you expressed interest in. After refit in February to March 1943 she moved to the Mediterranean where she spent the rest of her war paying off into category 'B' Reserve at Portsmouth in September 1945. Approved for disposal in October 1956 she was sold to BISCo for scrap in June 1957. However whilst being towed to the breakers at Llanelli she went aground at Rhossili sands on the 28 June 1957 and was scrapped in situ, this being completed by December 1959. Reference - The Hunts (English) Regards stontamar
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Here's another of her on Rhosilli sands November 1957.
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Hi All Just found you guys whilst trying to do some research for a surprise for my mum in law. Her father served on HMS Cleveland during WWII yet she knows very little about him and his time, other than that he was awarded the DSO for his actions whilst aboard. I have so far managed to get a copy of his service record and and a copy of the entry in the London Gazette regarding his DSO and seen some pics of the ship in a post in here, yet thats about it and IM all googled-out !!!! I would appreciate any info on the ship during this time, its crew and its exploits. If anyone can point me in the right direction that for more info that too would be excellent. Ideally I'd like to try and find some pictures of him aboard or in uniform as that would make her day. Also I can not find anywhere details of why he was given the DSO as the Gazette doesnt mention it. I have looked at his service record which is hand written and very brief (to me) so if anyone can help me interpret this that too would be great. I do not want to upload a copy but would be willing to mail one to someone if they are experienced in reading these and explaining some of the terminology as this may help my quest. Many thanks Marcus

A very full service history of CLEVELAND may be found here: [url]http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Cleveland.htm[/url]

What was your father in law's name? it may help in finding out what he got his 'gong' for.

Hi thanks for the speedy reply. His name was William Ernest Elderfield Hope this helps Marcus

Not sure if it helps but the gong was recorded in the 17 November 1942 edition of the Gazette. I have seen the history of the ship that uyou kindly provided the link for. I have been trying to establish what action the award was given for but all I cam surmise is that it was pre November '42 Marcus

As Navalis suggested the naval-history site gives good information on Clevelands War history. I reproduce this little passage from the end of that excellent history below, as I have a couple of sad pictures of her spending her last months on Rhossilli Sands... [COLOR=black][FONT='Times New Roman'][SIZE=2]HMS CLEVELAND was nominated for reduction to Reserve after VJ Day and sailed from Gibraltar to Portsmouth on 25th September. After arrival ship Paid-off and reduced to Reserve status. Initially Laid-up in the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth she later transferred to Cardiff and was placed on the Disposal List in 1956. The ship was sold to BISCO for demolition by E Rees at Llanelli but whilst on passage under tow she went ashore at Rhossilli Sands on the Gower Peninsula and was wrecked. As a result she had to broken up in situ. Her Demolition was not completed until December 1959 and the nett sum recovered from the insurers was £11,900...[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
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ble Seaman Elderfield was awarded the DSM (not DSO) for "..skill in action against enemy aircraft". It is a bit difficult to clarify which action - there is one that is a possible - details below; I cannot say for sure that it is the action, as the man is not named, but I think it is a definate 'maybe': On 16 May 1942 the Cleveland, in company with her sister Brocklesby, sailed from Devonport for local exercises. At 12.44 when approaching the western end of Plymouth breakwater four enemy fighter aircraft (Me.109s) were seen approaching low over the water. Already closed up at action stations, they were engaged with main armament, but missed. The aircraft dropped bombs amongst the shipping at anchor in the Sound and then turned to escape to seaward, passing close to the two destroyers as they did. The leading pair passed out of range, but the second pair were closer.... "...number 3 swung close to use and got all that we could give him with our close range weapons. He was hit hard and was last seen losing height and wobbling badly as he staggered off into the mist. Later we heard that this aircraft had failed to return to base and we were credited with him. Number 4 swept wider still and, diving straight at Brocklesby, sprayed her with cannon fire, causing three men to be wounded and a hole in her funnel. The Cleveland's multiple pom-pom, shifting target rapidly from number 3, shot his starboard wing off. The next moment he was on fire, and within a flash the aircraft cartwheeled in flames into Cawsand Bay.......the man to whom the greatest credit was due for his excellent shooting was the gun layer of Clevelands multiple pom-pom. Only that forenoon, just before we sailed, he had been up before me to have his gun layers rate removed, owing to his having failed to pass his periodic eyesight test. It was with great pleasure that I expunged that decision from the record and substituted a recommendation for a decoration - which in due course, he got". (extracted from "Naval Warfare in the English Channel" by Peter Smith, using the recollections of Vice Admiral Sir Guy Sayer, who, as a young officer commanded the Cleveland in WW2)

What a fantastic set of quick replies - you are all very kind indeed. Navalis... that story rings bells with the one that has been banded around be family elders.. " shot down five planes in seven seconds " is the commonest one. Could I be so bold and ask if you have any furtehr information on this as its ticking lots of boxes this end ?? Many many many thanks Marcus

I have been googlingagain and found that papers from Vice Admiral Sir Guy Sayer are held by the imperial war museum yet their web site doesnt seem to offer a download service. Does anyone know if I can download these at all via a.n.other as I am trying to get a surprise ready for my mum in law for xmas and dont have the time to visit them?? Thanks Marcus

If anyone has full size piccys of the ship would they be kind enough to email me fullsize copies (pm and I will send my email addy) as the ones I have so far from net searches and those kindly provided by Astraltrader are small size and not coming out too well when enlarged. As my earlier post I am trying to make my mum in law a scrap book kinda thing as a surprise for xmas and would like the images as big/clear as possible. Thanks Marcus

Marcus - I am sorry HMS Cleveland is one of the few RN destroyers that I dont seem to have a decent sized image of. I dont know if anyone else in the forum has a good sized image of her? I will check on my old computer to see if I have anything stored there...

Try this for size, Marcus.
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You seem to be getting plenty of attention from the wise men Marcus, I have sent another PM . Cheers Bob.

Thanks for posting that Rik - I had a much smaller version.:)

Thanks all ' the attention ' ;) is greatly received and appreciated. Time for a wrap up of my post methinks. Things I still need help on :- [LIST] [*]Location for crew list [*]Crew pictures [*]Papers from Vice Admiral Sir Guy Sayer that are held by the imperial war museum as they dont offer download [*]Details of the book that Navalist quoted (ideally cover and recollection text images) [*]Explanation of his service record - Batstiger on the case here : :D:D [*]Citation or papers associated with his DSM award [/LIST] Not a lot I know but I really want to get this together and get a memories book made for the mum in law for xmas but time is gettin short!!! Million thanks for all the help so far Marcus

This is getting addictive!!! Found this link for the Cleveland but covers many many more so thought Id share it Also if you page down the Cleveland entry to the picture it details the armament, woudl it be too wild an assumption to say that this is the weapon used by William Elderfield ?? Marcus [URL="http://navalhistory.flixco.info/G/104274x53053/281303/a0.htm"]http://navalhistory.flixco.info/G/104274x53053/281303/a0.htm[/URL]

Marcus, sorry for the delay but I have been a little busy past few days, Here's a decent photo of Hms Cleveland, I will also post the ships badge on the ships badges thread for you as well. Regards Alan
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marcus You asked about the book I quoted. It was "Naval Warfare in the English Channel 1939-1945" by Peter Smith. Details may be found here: [url]http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=1517[/url] However,I should stress that this is a history of the skirmishes and actions in the Channel - not about Cleveland. Of the 290 pages, Cleveland is mentioned on just three, using Sayers recollections.

well what can i say you guys are all just so helpful I cant belive what you have all done in such a short time. whilst Im on a roll....... based upon the text of the suspect incident leading to the award and the pictures of the ship can anyone suggest which gun my relation may have been positioned at ???? what a teaser for a friday afternoon eh, answers on a post card :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Marcus

sorry guys you are victims of your own sucess. Been googling all afternoon for a chart of the area of the action (Devils Point, Staddon Heights, Jenny Cliff ) with little sucess - any tips guys n gals??? Marcus ;)

Marcus, Staddon Heights & Jenny Cliff are traceable in google maps. Along with the statement that the ship was on local excercises, she could have bearly been out odf the sound. See the map below.
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DOH Thanks didnt think of the maps, odd that having spent most of my free time last week in google!!! Thanks Marcus

Hi Tonclass Been looking at Google Maps yet cant see the text referring to the incident. I assume its within a Wikkipedia entry?? Can you tell me which one as think I have now read them all yet cant see anything Thanks Marcus

Marcus, I was referring to Navalis' post No#7 above when I mentioned Local Excercises.

How stupid do I feel now?? I think I am going to try and mark up a map with the approx ;location based upon the text. Constructive critisims only please :D:D:D:D:D

Having just noticed this thread - has anybody got a picture of the armed yacht Viva II ??

My father was one of the crew on HMS Cleveland, no pictures unfortunately James

Terry, this is the only pic I have of Viva II.
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Thanks rik - that will be appreciated my friend.:):)

[QUOTE=stontamar;1498]Hi Chris HMS CLEVELAND - Hunt Class (Type 1) Escort Destroyer built by Yarrow, launched 24 April 1940 and complete 18 September 1940. After work up joined 23rd Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet for a short period and then transfered to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla based at Portsmouth until May 1941. her role was to escort convoys through the Straights of Dover and conducted one offensive operation in March 1941 when she joined the escort for a mine-laying operation off the French coast. Subsequently she joined the 15th Destroyer Flotilla and spent the next two years escorting convoys between Falmouth and Milford Haven. Highlights included the rescue of 10 men from the armed yacht VIVA II that had been sunk off Trevose Head on 8 May 1941. Although she was on patrol during the German Navy's Channel dash in February 1942 she, fortunately for the ship and crew, did not make contact with the enemy. Took part in the St Nazaire raid on 23 March 1942 as one of the units providing reinforcement for the return passage during which time she came under air attack. On 16 May 1942 in company with HMS BROCKLESBY she was credited with downing a German Me109 fighter aircraft off Rame Head. Joining the escort to Convoy PW219 (Portsmouth - Bristol Channel) they were attacked by German S-Boots off the Eddystone Lighthouse on the night of 17/18 September 1942 and during this attack HMS CLEVELAND was missed by a torpedo fired at her but suffered three casualties (injuries) from gunfire. The convoy suffered no losses. In November 1942 she was detached to join the escort for Convoy KMS 2 (UK to Mediterranean(slow)) to Gibraltar, returning with Convoy MFK 1 (Mediterranean - UK). That operation took her up to the end of 1942 and covers the period that you expressed interest in. After refit in February to March 1943 she moved to the Mediterranean where she spent the rest of her war paying off into category 'B' Reserve at Portsmouth in September 1945. Approved for disposal in October 1956 she was sold to BISCo for scrap in June 1957. However whilst being towed to the breakers at Llanelli she went aground at Rhossili sands on the 28 June 1957 and was scrapped in situ, this being completed by December 1959. Reference - The Hunts (English) Regards stontamar[/QUOTE] My father was a sub-lieutenant on the Viva II. Is there any way of finding the names of the survivors rescued by the Cleveland on 8 May 1941 please? The reason for asking is that I thought he may have been rescued by the Padstow lifeboat rather than the Cleveland. Roger

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